Fierce competition in Forklift Finals
Eight of Fonterra’s best forklift operators will go head-to-head on Tuesday 30th July in the Co-op’s very first forklift competition.
The competition is a chance for Fonterra’s forklift operators to showcase their skills and knowledge on safe forklift practice and for the wider Co-op to celebrate the ‘best of the best’ of these often-unsung heroes.
Regional finals took place last month, where competitors faced challenges like shooting a basketball into a goal and stacking pallets into a puzzle formation.
From 100 competitors, eight operators will travel to the Co-op’s Te Rapa Distribution Centre for the national competition where the winner will be crowned.
In addition to bragging rights, the winner will receive a small prize and a trip to Australia to visit Fonterra’s forklift supplier, Linde, to see and hear about some of their latest innovations.
Meet the finalists:
Geoffrey Robinson, Darfield
Time on forks: 40+ years
With more than 40 years’ experience, Geoff Robinson says the best thing about being a forklift operator are the guys he works with. “We’re all totally different but we have a lot of banter and come together to get the job done. We all have different jobs to do throughout the day and we’ll go and help others who are struggling or who have a bigger workload,” he says.
Robinson’s driving experience spans forklifts, tractors, and farm machinery.
He’s looking forward to the finals, especially meeting the other competitors. “They’re all a great bunch of guys. We’ve all got a lot in common really, it’s great to have a bit of banter with people from other distribution centres. I don’t care if I don’t win, just want to do my best,” he says.
Outside of work you can find Robinson mountain biking or running up the Cashmere Hills in Christchurch.
Jack Gibson-Pani, Timaru Dry
Time on forks: Six years
Jack Gibson-Pani says the best part of his job is the team he works with. “I’ve also been able to do quite a bit of travel with the job, throughout the North and South Island, visiting different sites, which has been great.”
Gibson-Pani enjoys a challenge and says he’ll give the competition his best shot. “The regionals were harder than I expected, the course was difficult, but also a lot of fun,” he says.
He’s looking forward to the trip up to Te Rapa and the chance to meet new people at the finals.
Outside of work you can find Gibson-Pani playing rugby in the winter or playing golf in summer.
Jared Neilson, Whareroa
Years on forks: 10+ years
Jared Neilson has been operating forklifts from the age of 16, starting out working in orchards in Hawke’s Bay and says he enjoys the precision and physics involved. “I really, really like driving forklifts. I also just have a passion for anything with four wheels!”
Neilson says he entered the competition on behalf of his team to show them they can give things a go.
Operating forklifts can be dangerous, and he says it requires a high level of responsibility, caution, and safety.
Talking about the regionals, Neilson says one of the hardest things was operating in silence. “Where we drive it’s always noisy, but this time it was deadly quiet. My hands were shaking.”
As a hobbyist mechanic, when he’s not on site you can find Neilson restoring his old Nissan and spending time with his family.
Jarrod MacBeth, Eltham
Years on forks: 21 years
Jarrod MacBeth has been operating forklifts for Fonterra for 21 years and says his favourite thing about it is not being stuck in one place.
While the job might not be physically challenging, he says it can be mentally exhausting. “You have to be alert and accurate 100% of the time,” he says.
MacBeth is looking forward to testing his skills and knowledge against the other operators. “Everyone’s good at work, but you don’t know the skill level of the people you’re competing against.”
Outside of work you can find MacBeth at the Stratford Speedway, where he’s been elected Club Captain for the 15th year running.
“Racing speedway takes a lot of effort and work, but the forklift competition allows me to use my other skills and knowledge in a different way.”
They’re all a great bunch of guys. We’ve all got a lot in common really, it’s great to have a bit of banter with people from other depots. I don’t care if I don’t win, just want to do my best.
Jorden Te Iringa, Waitoa UHT
Years on forks: Nine years
Jorden Te Iringa has been operating forklifts since school and says his favourite thing is that every day is different. “No matter how long I’ve been driving, I always learn something new. That means you’ve always got to be on your toes,” says Te Iringa.
He thought it would be a bit of fun to enter the competition and says he didn’t expect to make the nationals. “I won the first round and then the regionals…it’s been exciting.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people at nationals and seeing what challenges they’ll have us doing,” he says.
When he’s not on site you can find Te Iringa spending time with his four kids, playing rugby or at the gym.
Jonny Sem, Waitoa
Years on forks: 3 years
Jonny Sem says he was looking for a new pathway in his career when he decided to get his forklift license. “It has opened a lot of opportunities and I have been working across supply chain ever since. My motto is to grow and learn as much as possible,” he says.
Sem entered the competition for a chance to show off his skills and win a trip to Australia to see where Fonterra’s forklifts come from.
Getting through the regionals was tough and more nerve-wracking than he expected. “I wasn’t nervous going up to it, but once we were lining up for our turn it did get my heart racing a little bit, all eyes on you,” he says.
When he’s not in his forklift you can find Sem playing golf or fishing in the Coromandel.
William Drummond, Hautapu
Years on forks: 20+ years
William Drummond is a qualified welder by trade but says he found his calling once he got on a forklift. “You get to do your own thing – get your jobs and go. We’re the last point of contact before product goes overseas and there’s a sense of pride in that,” he says.
Drummond says the most challenging thing about being a ‘forkie’ is the concentration and focus.
A forklift competition is something Drummond has always wanted to try, so when the opportunity arose, he thought why not give it a go.
He says the regionals were daunting with all the people watching. “It can be nerve wracking, but I just got in my seat, switched that off and went for it.”
Outside of work Drummond likes to spend time at home with family.
Den Gage ("the Wolf"), Te Rapa
Time on forks: 30 years